Joint Algerian-Emirati Steel Plant Planned for 2018

A joint Algerian-Emirati steel plant worth $300 million will start operating by 2018 in the Algerian city of Relizane, it was announced Sunday in Abu Dhabi during the first Algerian-Emirati economic forum.

The plant, expected to create more than 2, 500 jobs, is a joint project between Algerian private Group Bellazoug specialized in construction, import of construction materials and tourism and Emirati Bidewi Group also specialized in production and sale of construction materials. Bellazoug is the main shareholder with 51 per cent while Bidewi holds the remaining 49 per cent.

The plant will, in a first phase expected to start in 18 months, produce steel profiles and bars for reinforcing bars with a capacity of 600,000 tons per year. This first stage estimated at $110 million will generate 650 direct jobs.

Once the project is in full swing, initiators expect the plant to produce by-products and metallic structures needed for construction and public works with a yearly yield of one million tons. Most of production will feed the Algerian local market where steel demand is estimated at 12 million tons while national production stands at only 2.5 million.